# Manish (band)

Manish (マニッシュ Manisshu) were a Japanese power-pop band formed in 1992 by vocalist and lyricist, Misuzu Takahashi and composer and keyboardist, Mari Nishimoto. The band's name comes from spelling member name MA(ri)NISH(imoto). Manish disbanded in 1998.

## Biography

In early 1992, Misuzu and Mari were part of the Japanese idol group "DALI" who debuted with their only single "Moonlight Densetsu", which was used as opening theme for anime television series Sailor Moon. Soon after release of the single, the group disbanded.
During the same year in December, Misuzu and Mari formed the band and debuted with single Koibito to Yobenai Distance (恋人と呼べないDistance). Their second single, Koe ni Naranaihodo ni Itoshii (声にならないほどに愛しい) was written by vocalist and lyricist of Japanese rock band Wands, Uesugi Show which he later self-covered in their studio album Little Bit. This became one of their earlier hits and first single awarded by RIAJ with Golden Disk.
Sugao no Mama ni Kiss Shiyou (素顔のままKISSしよう) was written by popular singer-songwriter Maki Ohguro, who later wrote several other songs and participated in recording production as a backing vocalist. Some fans refer to them as the "female version" of Japanese hard-rock band B'z due to their similar power-pop melody in theirs songs and having same musical producer, Masao Akashi.
In 1995, their single Kirameku Toki ni Torawarete (煌めく瞬間に捕われて) was used as third ending theme for the anime television series Slam Dunk. The single has been awarded by RIAJ with platinum disk.
As one of the rare Being Inc. artist, they've made multiple media appearances on Music Station.
In 1998 after releasing their compilation album Manish Best -Escalation-, they disbanded. In 2002, during the release of "complete at the being studio" compilation album series, the album includes two unreleased songs from their career which were exclusively added in the album. According to the liner notes, the songs were previously recorded during production of their second studio album Individual.
Some of their music videoclips were released in 2012 at 2-disc DVD set Legend of 90's J-Rock Best Live & Clips.
In November 2003 an article by Nikkei Entertainment! reported that the duo was no longer associated with the entertainment industry and are now happy focusing on their own things. (https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/MANISH)

## Members

* Misuzu Takahashi (高橋美鈴) (BOD: February 19th, 1974) - vocalist, lyricist
* Mari Nishimoto (西本麻里) (BOD: February 9th 1973) - keyboardist, composer, backing-vocals

## Discography

During their career they have released three studio, one compilation albums and twelve singles.

### Albums
#### Studio albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Manish | Released: 14 April 1993 Label: Zain Formats: CD, digital download | 3 |
| Individual | Released: 24 October 1994 Label: Zain Formats: CD, digital download | 5 |
| Cheer! | Released: 8 May 1996 Label: Zain Formats: CD, digital download | 7 |

#### Compilation albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Manish Best: Escalation | Released: 28 October 1998 Label: Zain Formats: CD | 7 |
| Complete "Manish" at the Being Studio | Released: 25 October 2002 Label: Zain Formats: CD, digital download | 91 |
| Best of Best 1000 Manish | Released: 12 October 2007 Label: Zain Formats: CD | 190 |

### Singles

| Year | Album | Chart positions (JP) | Label |
| 1992 | "Koibito to Yobenai Distance" (恋人と呼べないDistance) | — | Zain |
| 1993 | "Koe ni Naranaihodo ni Itoshii" (声にならないほどに愛しい) | 28 | Zain |
| 1993 | "Sugao no Mama ni Kiss shiyou" (素顔のままKISSしよう) | 34 | Zain |
| 1993 | "Kimi ga Hoshii Zenbu ga Hoshii" (君が欲しい 全部欲しい) | 14 | Zain |
| 1994 | "Nemuranai Machi ni Nagasarete" (眠らない街に流されて) | 18 | Zain |
| 1994 | "Dakedo Tomerarenai" (だけど 止められない) | 17 | Zain |
| 1994 | "Mō Dare no Me wo Kinishinai" (もう誰の目も気にしない) | 5 | Zain |
| 1994 | "Ashita no Story" (明日のStory) | 19 | Zain |
| 1994 | "Hashiridase Lonely Night" (走り出せLonely Night) | 18 | Zain |
| 1995 | "Kirameku Toki ni Torawarete" (煌めく瞬間に捕われて) | 6 | Zain |
| 1995 | "Kono Isshun to iu Eien no Naka de" (この一瞬という永遠の中で) | 12 | Zain |
| 1996 | "Kimi no Sora ni Naritai" (君の空になりたい) | 23 | Zain |

## RIAJ Certifications

* Koe ni Naranaihodo Itoshii: Golden Disk
* Manish (album): Golden Disk
* Mou Daremo Me wo Kinishinai: Golden Disk
* Individual: Golden Disk
* Kirameku Toki ni Torawarete: Golden Disk, Platinum Disk

## Magazine appearances

From Music Freak Magazine:
* Vol.03: 1995/February
* Vol.15: 1996/February
* Vol.21: 1996/August
* Vol.28: 1997/March
* Vol.47: 1998/October